Korean J Parasitol.  2009 Sep;47(3):303-305. 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.303.

A Survey of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Gastroenteritis Patients during a 3-Year Period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (Province), South Korea

• Huh JW
• Moon SG
• Lim YH

• KMID: 1729465
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.303

Abstract

The incidence and etiology of parasite-associated gastroenteritis during 2004-2006 in Gyeonggi-do (province), South Korea was determined by means of antigen detection ELISA on 6,071 stool specimens collected from 6 general hospitals. At least 1 parasitic agent was detected in 3.4% (208/6,071) of the stool samples. Among these, Giardia lamblia was the most numerous (152 cases; 2.5%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (25 cases; 0.4%), Cryptosporidium parvum (23 cases; 0.4%), and mixed infections (8 cases; 0.1%). Patients aged 1-5 years had the largest proportion (69.2%; 144/208) of parasite-positive stool specimens. Parasite-mediated gastroenteritis was most common from June to September. The detection rate gradually increased from 2004 to 2006. This study shows that parasite-mediated gastroenteritis may be significant among children in Korea and that parasite infection surveillance should be constantly performed.

Keyword

Giardia lamblia; Entamoeba histolytica; Cryptosporidium parvum; gastroenteritis; epidemiology; antigen detection ELISA

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Animals
Child
Child, Preschool
Data Collection
Eukaryota/*isolation & purification
Feces/parasitology
Gastroenteritis/*epidemiology/parasitology
Humans
Infant
Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Seasons
Young Adult